US2662384A - Washing machine control mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. l5, 1953 .H.E.MORmSON ETAL WASHING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 28, 1947 7 SheetsSheat 1 il M26 Z9 @da Persie [aumen CE1. mmf' Lurnse mwe Dec. l5, 1953 H. E. MORRISON ETAL 2,652,384

WASHING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1947 Dec. 15, 1953 H. E. MORRISON ETAL. 2,662,384

WASHING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 28, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. E. MORRISON ETAL 2,662,384

'7 Sheets-Sheet 4 WASHING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Dec'. 15, 1953 Filed June 28, 194'? Dec. l5, 1953 H. E. MORRISON ETAL 2,662,384

C WASHING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 28, 194'? 7 Sheets-Shea?. 5

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Dec., 1 5, 1953 H. E. MORRISON ETAL 6629334 WASHING MACHINE CONTROL NECHANISM Filed June 28, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Harold E. Morrison, Peter Eduard Geldhof, and Luther Ringer, St. Joseph, Mich., assigncrs to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of New York Application June 28, 1947, Serial No. '757,852

(Cl. (S8-12) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic washing machine, and more particularly, to its control mechanism.

In automatic washing machines of the class 2 Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken along the line III-III of Figure 2, and showing in particular the drive mechanism of the automatic washing machine;

and size usually employed in the home, suitable 5 Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional View of the means is provided for washing, rinsing and drying two-way valve mechanism;

the clothes. To perform this cycle of operation Figure 5 is a schematic Wiring diagram of the automatically, control mechanism is provided electrical control circuit of the washing machine for filling the tub with water of desired temperashown in Figures l to 4 of the drawings;

ture, washing the clothes by agitating them in lo Figure 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic View the tub for a preselected period of time, emptying the tub of sudsy Wash water, refilling the tub with clear rinse water of predetermined temperature, agitating the clothes in the rinse water,

emptying the tub again, and iinally centrifugally extracting the water from the clothes.

Such a varied series of operation of necessity requires a complicated timer and control mechanism. It lfurthermore does not readily lend itself to variations in the cycle of operation after the cycle of operation has commenced.

It is one of the principal features and objects of this invention to provide a simplied control mechanism for an automatic washing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention i to provide control mechanism for an automatic washing machine in which the normal automatic cycle of operation may be varied manually in part Without disturbing other portions of the automatic cycle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide control mechanism for an automatic washing machine in which a single control member, when actuated at one phase of the cycle of operation, institutes one operation but when actuated at a later stage of the cycle of operation, institutes a different operation.

A still further object of the present invention is to combine a number of controls into a single control, thereby simplifying the operation of the washing machine.

Another and further object of the present inventicn is to provide a novel cycle of operation which includes steps not heretofore employed and combined to form a novel combination of steps.

The novel features which we believe to be characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Our invention, itself, however, both as to its organization, manner of construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan View of a washing machine positioned in front of a pair of laundry tubs.

Figure 2 is an elevation view of an automatic washing machine with the cabinet removed and with certain of the elements of the machine broken away;

showing a modified form of control actuating mechanism;

Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating the successive steps in the cycle of operation of the automatic washing machine as shown in Figures l and 2, and particularly represents the indicating plate on the timer mechanism;

Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention in that it shows a modified form of the arrangement of Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a chart of the engagement of the cam switch stationary contacts of the machine as a function of time;

Figure 1l represents a plan view of a transmission unit with the cover removed showing a gear crank and segment drive mechanism for effecting a reciprocating motion of a shaft included in the machine;

Figure l2 is a side elevation view of a selective mechanism for actuating a part of the machine as taken on line I2--I2 of Figure 3; and

`Figure 13 is a vertical section view taken on line I3-I3 of Figure 3 showing a reciprocating portion of the control mechanism.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated therein an automatic washing machine I0 positioned alongside of a pair of laundry tubs iI and I2. The laundry tubs II and I2 are in the form of a single unit with a central partition I3 as is the usual case with laundry tubs found in homes today. The laundry tub II is shown as being provided with a stopper I4 in its drain, while the tub i2 is shown as being provided with an open drain I5, thus enabling the tub II to be used as a storage container for suds water from the automatic `washing machine I0, while the tub I2 is merely a collecting basin by which fiuid discharged from the washing machine I may pass on directly down the drain I5. The tub I I is connected with the automaticv washing machaine IIJ by means of a hose I6, While the tub I2 receives water discharged through the hose Il from the automatic washing machine I0. The hose I6 extends over the edge of the tub II and hangs down to a point in close proximity to the bottom of the tube I I, while the hose Il' may be of any convenient length since the water discharged therethrough merely passes on down the drain I5.

The automatic Washing machine I is provided with a top door or cover i8 which may be raised to obtain access to the clothes container within the machine.

Two control knobs I9 and 20 are mounted on the top of the washing machine I0, knob I9 being the knob at the end of the timer shaft (an enlarged view of which in conjunction with its associated dial being shown in Figure 8). The knob 29 is lconnected with the automatic temperature control mixer valve presently to be referred to, and is arranged to control the temperature settings of the mixer valve.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated in detail therein the automatic washing machine I9 of Figure 1, and as shown, includes a tub 2l which is mounted on a sub-base 22 carried on the main supporting frame 23 of the washing machine. Mounted within the tub 2-I is a basket 24 Which is arranged to be rotated at relatively high speeds at selected times during the cycle of operation. Mounted concentrically within the basket is an agitator 25 which is arranged to be oscillated back and forth about a vertical axis at selected times during the cycle of operation of the washing machine.

The basket 24 is rotated, and the agitator 25 is oscillated through a transmission unit 26 from an electric motor 2l. The transmission mechanism 26 and the motor 21 are mounted below the sub-base 22. Water is introduced into the tub 2I from hot and cold water supply pipes 28 and 29 (see Figures l and 3) through an automatic temperature controlled mixer valve 30 mounted on the frame 23 and through a hose or conduit 3l which conducts water of predetermined temperature into the top of the tub 2-I. Water is drained from the tub 2| through a sump 32 and a hose |92 by means of a pump 33 to a second pump and reservoir, as described subsequently, from which the water is transmitted through a horse or conduit 34 to a two-way valve 35 (Figures 2 and 4) where it is selectively passed through either a port 36 which communicates with the storage tub` I I through hose I6, or a port 3l which connects with the drain i in the tub I2.

)interposed in the discharge line I9 Iy of` the pump 33 is a second pump 38 and a priming tank or reservoir 39. Sudsy water may be returned from storage tub I I to the tub 2| through the port 36 of the two-way valve 35 upon energization of the solenoid 46 of the two-way valve 35 and upon operation of the pump 38, the reservoir 39 being used to prime the pump 38.

The operation of the two-way valve 35 is under the control of a solenoid 40 and is so arranged that the port 36 is closed by the valve portion 4I of the diaphragm 42 and the port 3T is opened when the solenoid 49 is deenergized, the valve actuating arm 44 being biased by spring 45 to this position. The port 36 is opened and the port 3l is closed by the valve portion 43 of the diaphragm 42 when the solenoid 49 is energized.

A float chamber 46 in the form of a standpipe is disposed alongside of the tub 2li, and two floats 41 and 48 are mounted within the float chamber 46. The float chamber 46 is in direct communication with the tub 2I through a cross-connecting pipe 49. which extends between the lower end of the oat chamber 46 andthe sump 32- which depends from the bottom of the tub 2|..

The mechanical drive mechanism of the washing machine will best be understood from an inspection of Figure 3 of the drawings. More particularly, theA motor 21 is mounted in a bracket 50 which is carried on the main frame 23 of the washing machine. The transmission unit 26 is mounted below the sub-base 22 by means of a plurality of depending hangers 64. The rotating drive shaft 5I of the motor 21 projects up through the bracket 50 and has a drive pulley 52 mounted thereon. An endless belt 53 extends around the drive pulley 52 and around two relatively large pulleys 54 and 55.

The large drive pulley 54 is mounted on the drive shaft 56 of the gear case 26 and is arranged to change the rotational movement of the driven member 54 into oscillatory movement of the agitator shaft 51, upon which the agitator 25 is mounted in any suitable manner. This may be done, for example, as described in the copending application of Peter Eduard Geldhof and Luther Ringer entitled Automatic Washing, Rinsing and Drying Machine, U. S. Serial No. 491,618, filed June 21, 1943, Patent No. 2,521,159, dated September 5, 1950, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The transmission mechanism for effecting such oscillatory movement is shown in Figure 11. A pinion 56a at the end of shaft 56 in the gear casing 26 engages and rotates a spur gear 56h. The spur gear 56h in turn drives a crank arm 56e which is concentrically connected thereto as well as to a point in close proximity to an arcuate tooth edge 'I6b of a fan shaped segment gear 16a mounted on the end of shaft 16, also in casing 26. Thus, rotation of shaft 56 causes rotary oscillatory motion of shaft "I6 by reason of the reciprocating motion imparted to crank arm 56e. The tooth edge 1Gb of fan shaped segment gear i611 engages a pinion gear 51a mounted on shaft 5l. Since the segment 16a reciprocates back and forth along with the crank arm 56o, it imparts an oscillatory motion to pinion gear 51a and consequently the agitatorY shaft 5l as well.

The driven member pulley 55 which is driven by the belt 53 is arranged to rotate the basket 24 through a direct drive connection effected by the clutch plate 58 (Figure 2) which is disengaged by raising the clutch plate yoke 59 and engaged by loweringof the plate 59. The plate 59 is arranged forlimited angular movement about a pivot point (not shown) at the left-hand end of the plate, and by the raising and lowering action of the right-hand end of the plate under the influence of the vertically movable rod 60.

The clutch plate 58 (which is concentric with the agitator shaft 5lv and through which the agitator shaft 5I freely extends) is in direct driving engagement with the basket 24. The details of this direct connection are not illustrated, since they form no part of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the drive belt 53 is in direct engagement with the drive pulley 52- andl the dri- ven pulleys 54 and 55, and hence, the drive pulleys 54 and 55 are rotating at all times thatthe motor shaft 5I is rotating.

There is a third driven member or pulley 6I, however, which is directly secured to the impeller shaft 62 of the pump 3a which is normally slightly out of direct engagement with the drive belt 53, and under normal circumstances is, therefore, not driven by the drive belt 53. The belt 513 is arranged to be selectively moved into driving engagement with the pump pulley 6I by an idler or pinch roller 63 which also is normally disposed free and clear of the drive belt 53.

The. selective control mechanism for forcing the pinch roller 63 into and out of engagement with the belt 53, includes a pinch roller supporting arm 65 which is mounted for limited angular movement about a cylindrical portion of the post B6. A second arm 61 is also pivotally mounted on the post 66, and a compression spring 53 extending between arms 61 and 65 normally urges the two arms apart, but this is limited by the bolt 69. A third arm 1&3 is mounted for angular movement on a cylindrical portion of the post 1|, and this arm 10 is connected through a link 12 with the arm 61. The arm 1g also is pinned to a link 13 which in turn is connected to the right-hand end of the bar 14 of the control mechanism.

This control mechanism is described in the aforesaid copending application of Peter Eduard Geldhof and Luther Ringer for Automatic Washing, Drying and Rinsing Machine, U. S. Serial No. 491,618, led June 21, 1943, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Since the details of construction oi this control mechanism form no part of the present invention, it will be sufficient to point out that the control mechanism includes, in general, an arm 15 which is mounted on the upright shaft 16 of the transmission unit 26. This upright shaft 16 receives limited oscillatory movement from the rotating drive shaft 55 of the transmission unit as previously described. The arm 15, therefore, oscillates back and forth in a horizontal plane. The degree of oscillation may vary tc considerable extent, but may, by way of example, be through an angle of approximately 6) grees.

The arm 15 is provided with a pair of solenoids 11 and 13 which are equipped with plunger-s or armatures 19 and 8e which are arranged to selectively engage the bar 14 and the oar 3i, respectively, to move them lengthwise back and forth through a limited distance.

When the solenoid 11 is energized, the next clockwise oscillation of the arm 15 will force the bar 14 to the left as viewed in Figure 3 and Fig. 12 of the drawings. This, in turn, will cause the pinch roller 63 to move clear of the endless belt 53 where7 in its shown position, it has been forcing the belt 53 into driving engagement with the drive pulley 6i of the pump 33. The relationship of the plunger 19 of the solenoid 11 is such that after the bar 14 has been moved to the left, it will remain in its left-hand position so long as the solenoid 19 is energized, notwithstanding the fact that the arm 15 continues to oscillate back and forth. Deenergization, however, of the solenoid 11 causes the plunger 19 to drop, and the next oscillation of the arm 15 in a counter-clockwise direction will cause return of the control bar 14 to its original position.

The control bar 8i operates in a similar manner to that of control bar 14. Deenergization of the solenoid 18 causes the control bar 8I to move to the right on the next clockwise movement of the oscillating arm 15. Since the control bar 8i is provided with a cam surface B2 in the region where it extends through a slot in the clutch post B0, (see Figure 2), it is apparent that movement of the bar 8i to the right will cause the clutch actuating post Si) to be raised, thereby separating the clutch plate 58 from the drive member 55.

Energization of the solenoid 18 will raise the plunger 8i) to a position where on the next counter-clockwise oscillation of the arm 15, the bar 8l is moved to the left. Movement of the bar to the left places the lowest point of the cam d surface 82 within the slot in the post 6I), thereby permitting the post 60 to fall to effect engagement of the clutch plate 58 with the drive member 55.

The bar 14 not only is arranged to operate the pump but also is arranged to control the operation of the agitator 25. More particularly, the right-hand end of the bar 14 adjacent the link 13 is also provided with a cam surface 83 which extends through a slot in a vertically movable post 84 which controls the operation of the agitator.

More particularly, the agitator shaft 51 is placed in driven engagement with the drive shaft 56 of the transmission unit 26 when the post 84 is in its lower position. Thus, movement of the control bar 14 to the right causes disengagement of the agitator shaft 51 from its oscillated driving engagement with the drive shaft 56 whenever the solenoid 11 is deenergized, but at the same time it also causes the pump 33 to be connected. Energization of the solenoid 11 connects the agitator and disconnects the pump.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings, the automatic sequential operation of the washing machine I@ under one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein. More particularly, the washing machine Ii) is under the control of a program switch unit having a plurality of cam-operated switches 85 to 9| arranged to be actuated by a plurality of cam disks 92 to 9S, respectively, all mounted on a cam shaft 99 driven by a synchronous motor |50. Cam switch 85 is provided with a pair of stationary contacts lili and lil?, and cam switch 9E is also providedwith a pair of stationary contacts IGS and Illll.

The remaining cam switches 55 to 90 are each: provided with single stationary contacts |05 to; 09, respectively. The cam shaft 99 is also provided with a bridging contact III! which rotates with the shaft Q9 and normally rides in engagement with the two stationary contacts III and l I2 to close an electrical circuit thereacross. Bridging contact I I i) opens the entire control circuit when the cam shaft 99 is shifted axially by lifting up the control knob I9 on the top of the washing machine I6 (which is movement of the control knob IQ to the right as viewed in Figure 5) The control knob E9 may also be advanced in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 of the drawings, which is the same direction as that which the synchronous motor drives the cam shaft t9 (counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 5 of the drawings).

Energy is supplied to the control circuit through a pair of power supply conductors IIS and II which may be connected, by way of example, to the normal outlet plug in a home (having the normal to 120 volt A. C. GO-cycle power). The conductors II3 and I I4 are connected to terminals H5 and ilu, respectively, of a terminal board H1. A conductor II8 is connected between the stationary contact II2 and the terminal I I5. A conductor I IQ is the common return conductor of the control equipment, as well as the power equipment.

In addition to the cam-operated switches 85 to QI, the washing machine Ii) is also provided with a pair of float-operated switches I2@ and 12| which are controlled by the upper and lower floats 41 and 43, respectively. The upper float 41 is positioned at the normal maximum water or fluid level to which the tub 2i is to be filled, while the 7 iioat 48 is positioned at a level corresponding to the bottom of the tub 2|.

Float. switch is provided with upper and lower contacts |22 and |23. Float switch |2| is provided with upper and lower contacts |24 and |25.

In addition to the float switches |20 and |2| and the cam switches 85 to 9|, there is. also provided a pair of temperature-selection switches |25 and |21 which are associated with stationary contacts |29 and |29, respectively. These temperature-selection switches |26 and |21 are actuated by cams |30 and |3| mounted on a shaft |32 to which the control knob 20 is secured at the outer end. The cam |30 has a pair of notches |33 and |34, and the cam l3| has a pair of notches |35 and |35. The notches |34 and |35 oi the cams |30. and |3| are in line, so that when the shaft |32 is in its position as shownin Figure 5 of the drawings, both switches |25 and |21 are closed. When the shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction from this position, through 90 degrees, the switch |25 is closed, but the switch |21 is opened. Similarly, when the shaft |32 is rotated in the opposite direction through 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure 5, the switch |21 is closed, and the switch |26 is opened.

One of the principal features of the present invention is the provision of a push-button control which gives the operator of the washing machine a control over the water height in the tub 2| (thus taking this function away from the normal control of the upperA float 41). This gives optional selective control of the water height in the tub 2|.

This push-button is illustrated at in Figures l and 5' of the drawings. The push-button |50 carries abridging contact |5| which is arrangedv to bridgestationary contacts |52 and |53. Stationary contact |52 is connected through conductor |54 to one sideof a relay coil |55, the other side of the relay coil |55 being connected 'to the common bus ||9. Relay |55 has two movable contact elements |44 and |'561whioh are arranged toA be positioned, as shown in Figure 5 upon de,- energization of the relay coil |55, placing the movablecontact |44 into engagement with a stationary contact |45. When the coilI |55 is energized, the movable contacts are raised so as to place contact |44 in engagement with a stationary contact |51, and movable contact |55 in engagementwith a stationaryy contact |58. Asindicated bythebroken line inV Figure 5, this group 0f. elements which is described represents the Water height control which is oneof the features ofL the present invention.

Some of. the solenoids of the controllmechanism have already, beenv referred to, such as the'pumpl and; agitatorl control solenoid' 1.1i, the extractor solenoid 118, and the two-way.- valve solenoid 40; ln additionto these control solenoids, the mixer valve 30 also includes two solenoids. L31l and, |38; Solenoid |38 whichis labeled MiX inl Figure 5 controls the flow fromthe mixing chamber off the. mixngvalve 30 where thehot water fromfsupplyv pipe 28y is` combinedv with` the coldl water from supply pipe 29. The temperature of` themixed water is. maintained ata predetermined level. The solenoid |31 controls the flow of water from the hot water inlet 28 to the dischargel hose 3|, thus by-passing the mixing chamber of the mixer valve 30. When the solenoid |31' is energized, and solenoid |38 is deenergized, only water-from thehot water inlet 28=issupplied throughthedischarge hose 3 into-the tub2.|='.

When both solenoids |31 and |38 are energized, water from the hot water inlet 28 is added to the mixed water from the mixing chamber of the mixer valve 30, thus causing Water to ow in the discharge hose 3| which is at a temperature level intermediate the temperature level determined by the mixer valve 30 and the temperature of the hot water inlet 23. l'he storage water return pump 38 is driven by a motor |39.

As will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 5 of the drawings, one side of the main motor 21, the synchronous motor |00 and the storage water return pump motor |39, as well as one side of each or" the solenoids |31, |38, 11, 18 and 40, are connected to the common bus i9. The energization circuit of each of these motors and solenoi'ds is arranged to be closed from the other side of the power supply through the bridging contact l0 ofthe timer shaft 99.

The particular electrical connections of the control circuit are clearly illustrated in Figure 5 and may be seen by a cursory inspection of this figure. The particular connection will be identified by reference numerals as the progressive functional operation of the mechanism continues through a complete cycle of operation.

With the elements as shown in Figure 5, the timer or cycling knob |9 is in the position as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, and is thus in a position where the control knob |9- has just been advanced into thel washing stage of the cycle. in advancing the control knob i9V into the washing stage of the cycle of operation, the length of the washing cycle may be varied' any- Where up to twenty minutes by simply rotating the knob |9 manually in a clockwise direction (Figure 8) until the pointer |40 stops oppositev the indicated time desired for the cycle of washing.

The positions of the cams 92 to 98 are shown in Figure 5 in their positions just after the timer shaft 99 has been moved to the twenty-minute point in the wash stage of the cycle of operation by the control knob I9. The operation is the samev irrespective of Whether the cams are in the position shown in Figure 5, or whether they have been advanced a little further ahead by the control knob |9so that the wash cycle is set for some predetermined period less than twenty minutes.

As shown in- Figure 5, all three motors 21, |00 and |39 are deenergizedas are also the solenoids 11, 18 and 40. The solenoids |31 andl |30 of the mixer valve 30, howevenare both energized'- This energization circuit may be traced from the supply conductor II'S, conductor H8, bridging contact H0, conductors |4"|` and |42, float switch |20 through its lower stationary contact |23', conductor |43, lower relay contact |44, stationary contact |45, conductors |46 and |41, cam switches 81 and 89Y and thence respectively, through conductors |49 and |49,.switches |26.and |21 to the solenoids |31 and |38, respectively. Water is thus supplied to the, tub 2| through the hose 3|the water being introduced intothe top of the tub 2| through the top shoulder |59 where it falls through the perforations |60 in the top rolled flange |-6I ofthe basket 24.

Assuming'that normal operation of the automatic equipment is to be followed, the push-button |50 remains in its upper position, and accordingly, water is supplied to the tub 2| until the upper oat 41l is raised closing the float switchv |20l against the stationary contact |22. This deenergizes both solenoids 31 and'|38,.thus shutting offf the supplyof water tothetub 2 Of course, prior to the raising of the upper float 41, the lower iloat 48 is raised when the water rst begins to ll the tub 2|. This closes the iioat switch |2| against the upper stationary contact 121i, which, for the moment, does nothing since the electric energy can ow through this switch only when either the upper float switch |20 is closed against its upper contact E22, or when the cam 9i permits the cam switch 90 to close against its associated Contact |69. The first change in the operational sequence of steps thus occurs when the upper float 4l is raised 'to shut 01T the solenoids |31 and |38 as just described. Closing of the upper iioat switch iil against the stationary contact E22 now causes power to be supplied to the main motor 2l and the synchronous timer motor lil@ from the power supply conductor H3 through conductors H8, IM, H12, 62 and E53. Energization of the main motor 2 completes the driving connection to the transmission unit 26. hnergization of the synchronous motor it@ starts advancing the timer shaft 99 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5 oi the drawings.

Since both the lower noat i8 and the upper oat il are raised, power is also supplied to energize the pump and agitator solenoid 'il to thus hold the pinch roller t3 out of engagement with the endless belt 53 and to connect the agitator into driven engagement with the drive shaft 5B of the transmission unit 26. The energization circuit goes from the upper iloat switch |263 (the manner in which energy is supplied to that point having already been described) and then through conductor 962, lower iioat switch contact iti and its associated upper stationary contact ii, conductor |6, cam switch at, and conductor |65.

Had it been desired to interrupt the water height at any point short of that determined by the upper float 4l (such as might be occasioned when only a very few items oi clothes are to be i laundered), it would simply be necessary for the operator to depress the push-button |50 at any time when he observes that some other desired water height had been reached. Depression of the push-button |59 energizes the relay coil |55 through conductors H8, Uli, |42, E43, and i656, cam switch 9|, conductor itl, bridging Contact |5|, and conductor |54, the other side of the coil |55 being connected to the common return conductor |i9. Energization of the coil 55 closes movable contact |56 against stationary contact |58, which is a holding contact for causing the coil i555 to remain energized even though the push-button i5@ is released `so long as the cam switch 9i remains in engagement with its lower stationary contact |64. Energization of the coil |55 also closes movable contact iflli against its associated stationary contact |51. This causes energization of the pump and agitator control solenoid il through conductors iii?, 24|, |42, M3, movable contact |44, conductor itt, cam switch 65, and the cams 93 and 9B are so arranged that this cycle ci operation just described continues until the end of the washing cycle.

In order to indicate the exact time when the various cam switches 85 to 9| close against the stationary contacts lei to |09, a schedule of the engagement of the cam switch stationary contacts as a function of time is illustrated in Figure l of the drawings. rihe cams which are diagrammatically shown in Figure are so cut that the indicated stationary contacts in Figure l0 will be closed during the period indicated in the chart shown in Figure 10.

Returning to Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be remembered that the pump and agitator solenoid ll is energized through the cam switch 8E and its stationary contact through the stationary Contact |04 of cam switch 9i, which is in the circuit of the push-button relay, or else through the stationary contact E t5 of cam switch 86 and the upper and lower float switches S25 and |2 The opening of one switch in either of these two circuits, depending upon which circuit is energizing the pump and agitator solenoid ll, will cause deenergization of the same. During part of the time when the circuit is open at the stationary contact i and at the stationary contact lii, the stationary contact lill is engaged by the cam switch it and the stationary contact its is engaged by the cam switch 9%.

The two-way valve immediately becomes energized when the stationary contact |01 is engaged, but the pump 33 does not start until the solenoid 'il is deenergized by the opening of the cam switch 8e. At this time, it will be observed that the main motor 21 continues to be energized, but its energization takes place through conductors H8, Uil, cam switch QQ and conductor It rather than through the upper float switch or through the relay contact Idil. This is also true of the timer motor it. Thus, deenergization of the pump and agitator solenoid 'il' disconnects the agitator shaft 5l from the transmission unit but at the same time, forces the pinch roller 53 against the belt 53 to cause the belt 53 to drive the pump pulley ti.

While the stationary contact |39 is in the circuit oi the extractor solenoid lt, it will be noted that lower stationary contact |25 of the lower float d3 is also in this circuit. For that reason, the extractor solenoid does not become energized until the tub 2| is substantially drained of water by the pump 33. Since the two-way valve solenoid iii is energized during this pumping operation, the soapy water removed from the tub 2| is passed through the port 36 of the two-way valve 35 to the storage tub I With energization of the extractor solenoid 78, the clutch plate 58 is dropped into engagement with the drive member 55 thus causing the 1paslret 2li to rotate at relatively high speeds. This centrifugally extracts the water from the clothes in thetub. This continues for a period such as that indicated in Figure 10. It will be noted that the two-way valve solenoid it is deenergiaed after three minutes, although the pump continues to operate. This means that any further water drained from the tub 2i will now be discharged through the port 3l of the two-way valve 3e into the tub l2 with the open drain i5 therein.

During the extraction period and immediately after the two-way valve solenoid iii has been deenergized, -a spray rinse is provided for the clothes to remove any soapy accumulation on the clothes or any scum or other foreign material. More particularly, a small amount of water is introduced through the hose 3| which is broken up into iine particles as it passes through the holes |55 in the top of the basket E@ due to the high speed of rotation of the basket This spray rinse is effected through closure of the cam switch 5 against the stationary contact idg. lt will be observed that the stationary contact HB2 is in the circuit of the solenoid |353 which controls the rlow of water from the mixing chamber of the mixer valve sii through the hose 3i. When the cam switch S5 drops against the lower sta- Jtionary contact Etz, the solenoid iti-i is energized Irom power conductor i3, through conductors H8, |4|, |42, float switch |20 and its stationary contact |23, conductor |43, relay switch |44, conductor |45, cam switch 85 and its stationary contact |92, and conductor |68. It will be observed that while the notch in the cam 92 is such that the cam switch 85 would normally drop into place for a period of one minute (see chart of Figure 10), this action is prevented by a small rotating cam |59 which is driven from the timer motor |89 in any suitable manner, and preferably so that it makes one revolution per minute.

Thus, the cam switch 85 can only drop against the stationary contact |02 during a fractional part of the one minute, and this will be controlled by the flat portion |10 on the cam |89. This, of course, is desirable since the spray rinse does not require Water to be introduced in a volume such as would be occasioned by the energization of the solenoid |38 for the period of a whole minute.

At the end of the extractor period, the cam switch 90 is lifted off of the stationary contact |09 which energizes the extractor solenoid to interrupt the driving connection from the transmission unit 29 to the basket 24, and at the same time the motors 21 and |00 are deenergized (it being recalled that during the last period they are energized through stationary contact |09). Simultaneously, cam switches 8E, 9| and 88 close against their associated stationary contacts lil, |04 and |05, respectively. This commences the deep rinse operation.

The solenoid |38 is energized from conductor ||3 through conductors i8, iria and |42, top neat switch |20, conductor |43, relay switch |44, conductor |45, cam switch 85 and its upper associated contact ISI, thence through conductor |68 to the solenoid |38. Energization of this solenoid causes water to be introduced into the tub 2| through the hose 3| and the tub fills with water. Neither the main motor 2i nor the timer motor are energized as yet, since cam switch 90 is open and since the `top float switch |20 is still down.

When the tub is iilled with fresh water, the float switches have now raised to their upper position, and the motors 21 and |98 are energized in the same manner as previously described for the wash period. Thus, the clothes are rinsed by the oscillation of the agitator which tumbles the clothes around in the fresh water within the tub 2|. If, for any reason, it was desired by the operator of the machine to limit the amount of fresh water introduced into the tub, this is done in the same manner as previously described for the washing cycle by depression of the push-button |50.

This rinse cycle is relatively short, such, for example, as two minutes as indicated in the chart (Figure and thereafter the water is drained from the tub by closure of the cam switch 99 against stationary contact i853 and by opening cam switches 8E? and 85. This time, however, the two-way valve solenoid 49 is not energized, and for that reason, the rinse water from the tub is discharged into the tub I2 having the open drain I5 therein.

During this second extraction period, a spray rinse is also efected in the same manner as that described following the washing cycle. At the end of this second extraction period, all of the cam switches are open, and for that reason, the timer stops and all energization circuits in the control mechanism are open. it has been found desirable, however, for the operator to have some means for ushing out the washing machine after the clothes have been removed, and one of the features of the present invention is to provide such an operation without adding additional controls by making the timer and its control knob I9 perform a dual function.

More particularly, after the operator has removed the clothes, the washing machine may be iushed out by manually advancing the timer knob l0 in a clockwise direction through the dead period as indicated in the chart (Figure l0) until the contacts |06, |08 and |09 are closed. Closure of these stationary contacts energizes either solenoid |31 or |38 or both, depending upon the position of the control knob I9, and thus water is introduced into the tub 2 Energization, for example, of the solenoid |31 is from power supply conductor ||3` through conductors ||8, |4|, |42, iloat switch |20, conductor |43, relay switch |44, conductors |45 and |41, and thence through cam switch 81, conductor |48, switch |28 to solenoid |31.

Due to the fact that the cam switch is closed against the stationary contact |09, and as long as the lower float is in its lower position, the extractor solenoid 18 is also energized which causes the basket to be rotated by the motor 21. The motors 21 and lilo are, of course, energized, due to the fact that the cam switch 90 is closed.

If, for any reason, the water came into the tub too fast so that the lower float is raised, the extractor solenoid would be interupted so as to disconnect the drive to the basket only until the water was pumped out of the tub. In this connection, it is to be remembered that the pump is always running.

The cycle of operation of the washing machine has now been completed for the rst batch of clothes placed in the machine. If, now, a second batch of clothes is to be placed in the machine, the control knob I9 is turned until the pointer |40 enters the portion of the dial which indicates Suds It will be recalled that in the first cycle of operation of the machine the soapy water after the rst wash was transferred to the storage tub This soapy water is now returned to the tub 2| upon turning of the control knob into the position which is marked Suds Upon referring to the chart in Figure 10, it will be observed that this is covered by a manually controlled preliminary period ahead of the point where the washing cycle originally started, and thus ahead of the point which is marked with the numeral Thus, when the knob |9 is turned so that the pointer has just entered the Suds portion of the dial, the cam switches 9|, 86 and 80 are moved into engagement with stationary contacts |03, |05 and |01. The closing of switch 88 against contact |01 energizes the two-way valve solenoid 4|) through conductor |93, while the closure of switch 9| against stationary contact |03 energizes the storage pump motor |39 from power supply conductor |I3 through conductors ||8, |4|, and |42, oat switch |20, conductors |43, |86, cam switch 9|, and conductor |1| to the suds pump motor |39. This causes the suds pump 38 to return the soapy water from the storage tank I to the main washing machine tub 2|.

If there is more water in the storage tub than is required to lill the tub 2|, the upper float 41 raises and opens the circuit of the storage pump motor |39. If, for any reason, there is not sufficient water in the storage tub to refill the tub 2| and thus cause the upper neat 4i to be lifted, it will be observed that immediately upon advancing the control knob into the "washing stage, the contacts ld and i528 are closed which causes additional fresh water to be introduced into the tub il in the manner described for the beginning of the original wash-- ing cycle. From then on, the cycle repeats tself in the manner already described.

If the storage tub i I has suiicient soapy water therein to reiill the tub 2| and thus raise the upper float til, it will be observed that immediately upon raising of the upper iioat d?, the agitator solenoid 'Vi is energized through the upper and lower oat switches 2t and I2! and the cam switch te.

It is to be noted that the suds return operation is a manual operation, and when the tub is refilled, the operator advances the control snob into the washing cycle to a point which indicates the length of time which he (up to twenty minutes) for the washing cycle. Thus, the movement of the control knob i9 into the suds portion of the dial initiates the operation of refilling the tub with soapy water, but the operation is terminated automatically if the tub reaches the desired height as determined by the upper iioat tl. If there is not sufiicient water to rell the tub il, the operator of the machine turns the control knob into the washing cycle and before the timer starts, the balance of the tub is refilled with fresh water in the manner described for the rst complete washing cycle.

As has been previously pointed out, the temperature of the fresh water introduced to the tub during the initiation of the washing cycle, as well as during the fiushing operation is under control oi the temperature control iznob til, and gives the operator a selection of three temperatures. As described hereinbefore, the solenoids itl and E3B are energized in parallel. When knob E@ is turned to the left, solenoid |37 cannot be energized. When knob 2d is turned to the right, solenoid its cannot be energized.

A slight variation in the push button control described in connection with Figure 5 may be had by having an actuating rod HZ extend through the wall of the housing of the washing machine which may be physically pulled out to close the coil of the relay lFigure 6). After the coil has once been closed, the same type of a holding circuit will hold the relay in as long as the coi 55 remains energized. .any suitable biasing (not shown) may be employed to return the .lay contacts idd and 55 t0 their open positron upon deenereization of the relay coil |55.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings. Portions of Figure 7 which are similar to portions of Figure 5 have been given the same reference characters.

in the form of the invention shown in Figure 7, the control circuit is provided with all of the functions described in connection with Figure 5, but in addition provides means for having an optional spray rinse any time while the basket 24 is being rotated. This is provided for by providing the push-button l5@ with two bridging contacts instead of one. More particularly, it has the bridging Contact 5i which closes the circuit across the stationary contacts |252 and i553 when the push-button is depressed, and in addition, has a bridging contact lit which closes the circuit across the stationary contacts lill and |15 when the push-button |50 is depressed.

The stationary contact H5 is connected through a conductor |16 with the hot water supply solenoid |37, while the stationary Contact lili is connected through a conductor |'I'| with the main energizing conductor lit* of the extractor solenoid i8. Thus, when the push-button |56 is depressed at a time when energy is being fed through the conductor I'EB to the extractor solenoid ?8, hot water will be introduced into the tub 2|. It is to be noted that this water is introduced only so long as the operator continues to hold the push-button |58 depressed.

It will furthermore be noted that this spray of water effected by the depression of the pushbutton l5@ can only occur at a time when energy is being supplied to the extractor solenoid 18. It will thus be seen that in this form of the invention, a single push-button if depressed at a time when the tub 2| is being lled, will interrupt and stop the fiow of water to the tub, but if it is depressed at a later point in the cycle of operation, namely, during a time when the basket 2li is rotating at high speed, it will cause water to flow into the tub. This eliminates the number of controls necessary for the operation f the machine and greatly simplifies the operation thereof.

The remaining portion of the circuit shown in Figure 'Z operates in the same manner as that described in connection with Figure 5.

i third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. More particularly, an optional spray rinse is provided which is controlled upon movement of the temperature control knob 20. The operating shaft |32 of the temperature control knob 2i! in addition to being provided with the cams |38 and |31, is also provided with a cam |79 which has two notches |80 and |8| therein.

These two notches S and :18| are located more than ninety degrees to either side of the central position which is the position shown in Figure 9. The cam lig is associated with a cam switch it?a which is arranged to engage a stationary contact |83 connected through a conductor ifi' directly to the solenoid |38 which controls the outflow of water from the mixer valve 313. The movable contact or cam switch |82 is connected through conductor |85 to the conductor |18 in the energization circuit of the extractor solenoid i8.

Also mounted on the shaft |32 is a iinger |86 which just engages a spring E3? when the notch |3t is in engagement with the cam follower of the switch |2'll and which just engages a spring |88 when the notch |33 is in engagement with the cam follower of the switch 526. The springs Mii and 48S are mounted on stops |85! and |99, respectively, which are so positioned that when the springs |81 and its are compressed by rotation of the knob Eil to one extreme or the other, the cam follower of the switch |32 just falls into the notch {8i} or the notch Iii! depending upon whether stop it@ or i Sli is reached, respectively.

Closure of the switch i8?. thus opens the outlet from the mixer valve 3@ due to energization of the solenoid i3d whenever energy is being fed to the extractor solenoid it. This is under the selective control ol the operator who rotates the knob .2d in either direction to either of its two extreme positions. Upon release of the lrnob, the spring I8? or |83 depending which is engaged will cause the ringer ist to move backward until either notch E36 is engaged by the cam follower of the switch |27 or until the notch 33 is engagcd by the cam follower of the switch i255. This prevents the operator from accidentally leaving the control knob in a position where neither switch 25 or 121 is closed.

It will be observed that in Figure 9 only the portion of the circuit adjacent the temperature control switches and 121 has been illustrated, but it is to be understood that the remaining portion of the complete control mechanism is the same as that shown in Figure 5.

While we have shown several embodiments of our invention, it will, of course, be understood that we do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modincations may be made, and we, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modications that fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a control circuit particularly adapted to control operation of an automatic washing machine of the type having a tub, a clothes container therein, an agitator in the clothes container, a motor for driving said agitator and for spinning the clothes container, a normally closed valve controlling the supply of water to the container, a power circuit, a solenoid connested in said circuit and having an armature operatively connected with said valve to open said valve upon energization thereof, a sequence timer connected in said circuit and having timeroperated switches associated therewith connecting said motor and said solenoid in said power circuit, a float switch connected having lower 1 contacts in the circuit to said solenoid and normally closed upon a low liquid level within said tube and maintaining said solenoid energized, to yhold said valve open until the water in the tub reaches a predetermined level, and having upper contacts connecting said motor in said power circuit and a manually operable switch having vcontacts connected in the circuit from said float switch to said solenoid and also having contacts connected in parallel with said upper contacts of said float switch selectively operable to break the circuit to said solenoid and effect closing of said valve and close the circuit to said motor, without affecting the cyclic operation of the machine.

2. In a control circuit particularly adapted to control the operation of a combined automatic washing `and extracting machine having a tub, a motor affording a source or" power to carry out the washing and extracting operations, a liquid supply conduit leading to said tub, a normally closed valve in said supply circuit, electrically operable means for opening said valve including a solenoid having a coil and an armature actuated thereby and operatively connected with said valve, an energizing circuit to said coil, a float associated with said tub and having a float switch associated therewith connected in the energizing circuit to said coil, to open said circuit and deenergize said coil and eiect closing of said valve upon upward movement of said float to a predetermined level, a sequence timer including a plurality of sequence timer switches which are closed and opened at predetermined times in a cycle of operation of the machine, an energizing circuit to said motor through one of said sequence timer switches and said float switch, power supply conductors connected with said energizing circuit for said coil through said oat switch and through one of said sequence timer switches, and a manually operated switch having a contact in series with said float switch and opening to deenergize said solenoid regardless of the level of liquid in the tub upon operation of said manually operated switch, and having another contact in parallel with said iioat switch and closing upon opening of said first contact to connect said motor in said energizing circuit regardless of the liquid level in the tub.

3. In a control circuit particularly adapted to control operation of an automatic washing and extracting machine having a tub, an agitator within the tub, a motor operative to drive said agitator and rotate said tub, the improvements comprising an upper iloat switch actuated by a predetermined maximum liquid level in the tub and having upper and lower stationary contacts and movable to complete a circuit through said lower contacts upon a predetermined low liquid level in said tub and through said upper contacts upon a higher liquid level in said tub, a lower float switch positioned to be actuated by a predetermined minimum liquid level in the tub and having upper and lower stationary conduits and movable into position to complete and break circuits between said lower and upper conduits, respectively, as the liquid level in the tub rises, a liquid supply conduit leading to the tub, a normally closed valve in said supply conduit, a solenoid including a coil having an armature for operating said valve, a sequence timer including a plurality of sequence timer switches, a plurality of power supply conductors, a manually operable switch operable independently of said sequence timer and float switches, and having contacts, one of which opens and the other of which closes upon operation of said manual switch, a circuit connecting said coil to said power supply conductors through one of said timer switches, one contact of said manual switch and said lower stationary contact of said upper float switch, a circuit to said motor through the upper contact of said upper float switch and one of said sequence timer switches, and a parallel circuit around said upper contact of said upper float switch through said lower contact of said upper float switch and the other contact of said manually operable switch connecting said motor in said power conductors upon operation of said manually operable switch, whereby selective liquid level control may be had without interrupting the sequential cyclical operation of the machine by moving saidmanual switch into position to open said one contact and close said other contact.

HAROLD E. MORRISON. PETER EDUARD GELDHOF. LUTHER RINGER.

References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 576,846 Hermes Feb. 9, 1897 1,698,342 McGill Jan. 8, 1929 1,849,283 Crane Mar. l5, 1932 2,055,031 Hutchings Sept. 22, 1936 2,278,769 Chayie Apr. 7, 1942 2,355,162 Hovey Aug. 8, 1944 2,391,561 Geldhof et al. Dec. 25, 1945 2,407,660 Graham Sept. 17, 1946 2,434,199 Dyer Jan. 6, 1948 2,434,352 Edwards Jan. 13, 1948 2,503,901 vChace Apr. 11, 1950

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